Mission Update
Bethany and Michael at Tundavala Gap, Angola
July 12, 2024
Tchincombe Farm, Angola
We have now been in Angola for about two weeks. We are enjoying our stay in the SIM Guesthouse in Lubango and I am being introduced to a new culture. I (Bethany) am pleasantly surprised at the developed city we are on mission in, there are clean tarmac streets with well kept sidewalks and landscaping, there are many sculptures of animals in plazas around town.
Mural
Each day for about nine days we painted the mural at CEML Hospital’s fistula village. We have the majority done but it took a little while to locate supplies like a ladder or two, painting tray, and two visits to the paint store. Michael has done a great job priming the top third of the mural and painting large swaths of ground. We have published some video updates which describe more of what we’ve accomplished.
Art Session
I have run one art session for the fistula ladies at CEML Hospital. There was one lady who translated into English for me, and another lady that translated into the three tribal languages represented. The women so enjoyed the session they said they forgot about making lunch they were so engaged. I both talked about drawing and demonstrated drawing animals, then the women shaded in some animal sketches I distributed, as well as trying to draw their own. Some were quite good! Others were just enjoying their time together chatting and learning.
ESL
I (Michael) have taught a complete course on the Gospel of Mark. Attendance for the study was spottier than I like but in the end we had 5 people each day from a pool of 6 regulars. In addition to using my Mark ESL book as the backbone of our study, I also brought along a few worksheets to help practice sounds which Angolans have difficulty mastering (“sh” and “th” for example). The study helps Angolans who already have a grasp of English with good experience to maintain what they’ve learned.
SLC
As we write this we’re situated at Tchincombe ranch and have only just begun the Spiritual Life Conference (SLC). Neither of us have been to an SLC before. There are more than 100 people here (about 60 adults, 40 kids) and our first worship session in the morning went over well. It’s a blessing to be here!
